| Session |
Goals |
Content |
Responsible Persons |
| 1 |
To orientate to the program and to establish trusting relationship between participants and instructors |
- Orientation to the program and introduction of group leaders and members to one another
|
Research psychiatric nurse |
| (Family caregivers only) |
- Negotiation of goals and roles and responsibilities; Ensuring confidentiality
|
|
- An overview of the topics and their relevance to group members
|
| 2 |
To understand schizophrenia, its symptoms and short-term and long-term effects to patients and families |
- Presentation of a video of one family caring for a person with schizophrenia, with descriptions of symptoms and illness behavior of patient
|
Research psychiatric nurse |
| (Family caregivers and patients) |
- Discussion of the importance of knowledgeable involvement by family members to patient and the whole family.
|
|
- Initial discussion of the mental illness and its effects to family
|
| 3 |
To understand the theoretical concepts, etiology and the course of schizophrenia |
- An overview of theories of schizophrenia from a bio-psychosocial perspective
|
Research nurse and one psychiatrist |
| (Family caregivers, family members and patients) |
- Discussion of the psychiatric conceptualization of schizophrenia, a review of etiology, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
|
| 4-5 |
To recall and share about illness symptoms and their effects on family life |
- Information sharing about symptoms and illness behavior; discussion about their effects to family lives
|
Research nurse and researcher |
| (family caregivers only) |
- Sharing of intense emotions toward patient and suggestion on how to deal with negative emotions to patient
|
|
- An overview of treatments and rehabilitation programs
|
| 6 |
To realize the effects of medications and its compliance |
- Explanation of positive and negative effects of medications for schizophrenia
|
Research nurse and one psychiatrist |
| (family caregivers and patients) |
- Explanation of the importance of drug compliance and maintenance
|
|
- Discussion of the specific problems related to the side-effects
|
| 7-8 |
To openly share and more understand about individual concerns and cultural issues |
- Discussion about Chinese culture of family and mental illness
|
Research nurse |
| (Family caregivers only) |
- Sharing of intense emotions and feelings about patient care provision and family interactions
|
|
- More information sharing about schizophrenia and its related illness behavior
|
|
- Discuss about the ways to deal with negative emotions to patient
|
| 9-10 |
To improve the family environment and social support |
- Introduction of the role of environmental stress as a risk factor for acute exacerbations of schizophrenia
|
Research nurse and researcher |
| (family caregivers only) |
- Discussion of the significance of family as a source of social support and its role and responsibility within the social environment of patient
|
|
- Presentation of family stress and expressed emotion and improvement of family relationships and emotional environment
|
| 11-13 |
To manage psychosocial needs for themselves, patient and family |
- Discussion about each member’s psychosocial needs
|
Research nurse and a clinical psychologist |
| (family caregivers only) |
- Information about medications, managing illness, and available mental health services
|
|
- Effective communication skills with patient and seeking social support from others
|
|
- Exploration of home management strategies e.g. finance and budgets, environment and hygiene
|
| 14-16 |
To adopt new roles and challenges and skills of coping and patient management |
- Sharing of coping skills and mutual support
|
Research nurse |
| (family caregivers only) |
- Enhancing problem solving skills by working on some individual patient management situations
|
|
- Conducting behavioral rehearsals of interaction with patient and other family members within group
|
|
- Practicing coping skills learned during the sessions to real family life (in-between group sessions) and evaluate the results
|
| 17-18 |
To review the previous learning and to prepare for group termination |
- A review and summary of the materials covered in previous sessions
|
Nurse researcher |
| (family caregivers and patients) |
- Preparation and discussion on termination issues e.g. separation anxiety, independent living and use of coping skills learned
|
|
- Evaluation of learning experiences and goals achievement
|
|
- Explanation of post-intervention assessment and follow-up taken in the following months
|